Tangedco’s full strength order upsets employees

The employees and the unions were agitated over the order that has come in the wake of 12 employees working at KK Nagar were tested positive for COVID-19 on May 2. In a circular dated May 4, Tangedco said that all the officers and employees working in Tangedco, Tantransco and TNEB are instructed to attend the office in full strength and no separate passes are required while moving on duty.

The circular cited the government order issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department on May 3 in connection with the Union Home Ministry order on extending the curfew with certain relaxation from May 4 to 17. The government order has said that all the Central and state government offices should function with 33 per cent staff strength. “All essential government services (including registration department) should continue to function with full strength,” it noted.

The Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Trade Unions has urged the Electricity Minister and Tangedco chairman cum managing director to immediately withdraw the order seeking the attendance of all the employees. “In the absence of public transport, the Tangedco’s circular should be withdrawn immediately and they should be continued to be allowed to function with minimal staff,” they demanded.